BROWNSBURG, Ind. -- The funeral for an Indiana State Police lieutenant who was killed during a charity bicycle ride last week began Tuesday morning in front of about 1,500 mourners.

The funeral for Indiana State Police Lt. Gary Dudley began at 11:30 a.m. at Connection Pointe Christian Church. Visitation took place Monday at that same church.

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Video: Watch Report
Slideshow: Indiana State Police Lt. Gary Dudley Remembered

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After the funeral, Dudley's body, escorted by law enforcement vehicles, was driven to Indianapolis' Crown Hill Cemetery for a graveside service.

People at the service said they attended to show how much Dudley -- who commanded a state police training academy -- meant to them and how important he was to Indiana.

"Gary was a big brother, a mentor to hundreds and hundreds of police officers across Indiana," the Rev. Tim Hughes of Cornerstone Christian Church. "Whether you are a civilian employee, a graduate of his academy or a senior colleague, you can identify the mark that he made in your life."

Dudley's friend and pallbearer, ISP Sgt. Keith Gill, said Dudley's family needed to see that he will be widely missed.

"His wife needs to see that. She needs to see how much Gary was loved and ... this is the kind of turnout that shows the reputation and the respect ... for Lt. Gary Dudley," Gill said.

Hundreds of police officers were among the attendees.

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels asked that all flags in the state be flown at half-staff on Tuesday to honor Dudley.

Dudley and former Lake County Police Chief Gary Martin were killed in Vermillion County last week as they rode in a charity bicycling event to raise money for families of fallen comrades. A freight truck hit the back of the riders' support truck, sending the support truck into some of the riders, including Martin Dudley.

The riders were raising money for Indiana Concerns of Police Survivors, which supports families of officers killed in the line of duty. Anyone can make a memorial donation to the group at the following address:

Indiana COPS
P.O. Box 556
Shelbyville, IN 46176